Sandra Halstead 1949-2012

December 6, 2012

Funeral service for Sandra Halstead of Cylinder are 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Burial is in St. John's Cemetery, Emmetsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Cancer Society, Iowa Organ Donor Network and American Heart Association.

Sandra Kay Halstead was born Aug. 16, 1949 in Emmetsburg, the daughter of Dan and Phyllis (Frederick) Brown. She was a 1967 graduate of Emmetsburg Catholic High School. Following her education, she moved to Minneapolis, MN where she worked for Bell Telephone Company.

On May 24, 1969, Sandra was united in marriage to Roger Halstead at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, MN. The couple moved to Algona where Sandra worked at Snap-on for 12 years. Later, she worked as an assistant manager at the Candlelight Motel in Algona. Sandra was working as manager of the AmericInn Hotel when she was diagnosed with cancer.

She enjoyed reading, music and especially her grandchildren. Sandra loved to spend time with Rog and the rest of her family. She found a new hobby during her illness of staying in touch with friends through her computer.

Following her heart transplant, Sandra would enjoy visiting with preoperational heart transplant patients. It was easy to see the hope and inspiration those patients felt after visiting with her. Sandra was a donor recipient and wanted to give back, and as a result, someone will have the gift of sight with her selfless donation to the Iowa Lion's Eye Bank.

Left to cherish her memory is her mother, Phyllis Brown of Emmetsburg; husband, Rog Halstead of Cylinder; son, Roger Halstead of Riverside, CA, and his wife, Christine and their son, Jake; son, Todd Halstead of Norwalk and his wife, Crystal and their daughters, Savannah and Mariah; two brothers: Dan Brown of Mason City and his wife, Carol and their children, Matt and Carlie and Pat Brown and his wife, Deb and their daughter Cassie of Amarillo, TX; mother-in-law, Dorothy Halstead of Emmetsburg; brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul and Sandy Halstead of Warrensburg, MO and Beth and Tom Buss of Emmetsburg; and many other relatives and friends.